Library

*Shizhou Zaji* (Miscellaneous Records of the Ten Continents) states: Pure yin without yang constitutes a ghost; pure yang without yin constitutes an immortal; the mixture of yin and yang constitutes a human. A ghost is formed by the condensation of yin-spirit qi (vital energy), whereas an immortal is constituted by the refining of undissipated yang-harmonious qi into substance. When a person's yang is exhausted, they become a ghost; "ghost" refers to the return of humans. When a person's yin is exhausted, they become an immortal; "immortal" refers to the migration (sublimation) of humans. During youth, when yang is abundant and yin is scarce, people are unwilling to cultivate. By the time one becomes old and weak, after qi has scattered and spirit has declined, how can there be no damage? Superior individuals worry and toil before damage occurs, and exercise caution in tonifying after damage has occurred. Those not yet damaged maintain themselves so as not to incur damage; those already damaged use tonification so as not to fall into deficiency. Only high masters of the Great Dao can discuss this.

*Xishan Ji* (Records of Mount West) states: Humans receive qi and form bodies; at three hundred days, the fetus is complete and separates from the mother; at one thousand days, they are nursed and held; at four thousand days, they appropriate things from the world, drawing upon the qi of heaven and earth; at five thousand days, their qi is sufficient. Thus, at fourteen years of age, women experience the descent of Tian Gui (heavenly fluid/menstruation) and the dispersion of true yin; at sixteen years of age, men have full true essence and the leakage of yang qi. Men's qi amounts to eight hundred and ten zhang; women's blood amounts to three dan and six dou. Eighty-one (9x9) is the number of pure yang, the fundamental number of qi; thirty-six (6x6) is the number of pure yin, the fundamental number of blood. Beyond these ages, essence and qi leak and dissipate. Qi diminishes according to the pattern of nine-nine, and blood exhausts according to the pattern of six-six. This is natural decline; how much more so for those who ruin their bodies and do not know how to cultivate and nourish themselves? Consider the mansions of kings and nobles, with thousands of beauties; or the households of ministers, with hundreds of concubines serving outside the main family. By day, strong wine bathes their marrow; by night, sexual intercourse drains their blood and qi. They indulge their ears and eyes, lying down without rest. Above, they rush about and do not dwell peacefully; below, they enjoy rich flavors and brocade. Entering bed while heavily intoxicated, they fail to guard their spirit and preserve their qi. Without moderation in residence and lifestyle, and with limited spirit, they become emaciated, withered, and decayed before their hair turns completely white. Therefore, true immortals and sages, in all their cultivation, seek only to avoid damage. The taboo for one day: do not get heavily drunk at night. The taboo for one year: do not travel far at the end of the year. The taboo for a lifetime: do not engage in sexual intercourse at night with candles lit. These are the general principles of tonifying and repairing damage. The Five Flavors are indispensable to humans, but one must beware of excess. Sour damages the Spleen, sweet damages the Kidney, salty damages the Heart, bitter damages the Lung, and pungent damages the Liver. Before achieving the Great Medicine (the state of immortality), one still feels hunger and thirst; eating three times a day was advocated by ancients, who preferred bland food and avoided meat and fish, fearing it would soil the mouth and belly. For stagnation in the Five Zang Organs, the Six Syllable Breath Method is used, which is the method of *Huangting Tu*. Zhang Chengdao used this to retain his form and remain in the world; Wang Wuzhen used it to treat diseases and prolong life; Sun Simiao used it to cultivate himself and treat others. The subtlety of the Six Syllables: In spring, do not exhale "Hu"; in summer, do not exhale "Si"; in winter, do not exhale "He"; in autumn, do not exhale "Xu"; throughout the four seasons, always use "Xi", ensuring the San Jiao (Triple Burner) is never deficient; during the Eight Solar Terms, do not exhale "Chui", making it difficult for the Kidney Mansion to become excessive. Whatever is in excess should guide its "child" (the element it generates); whatever is deficient should suppress its "ghost" (the element that controls it). This subtlety has been unknown to the ancient and modern world; only the Supreme Saints of Mount West have grasped its profound meaning. There is no need for hundreds of taboos; simply, if the morning is not empty and the evening is not overly full (excessive intake/stimulation), this is the highest level; if daily diet is tasteless and bland without meat, this is the secondary level. Why worry about the limbs not being plump and joyful? Regarding the Six Syllable Breath Method: if there is excess, guide the child; if deficient, suppress the ghost. The Liver's native syllable is "Xu"; in other cases, also use "Xu". However, "Xu" alone cannot directly guide Liver qi; if guiding its child, use "He" to drain Heart qi. Once Heart qi moves, Liver qi naturally transmits. If Liver qi is deficient, suppress the ghost. The Lung belongs to Metal; Metal controls Wood. Wood is the wife, and Metal is the husband; the husband is the ghost. If Liver qi is weak, it must be due to Lung excess; one must suppress the ghost, using "Si" to drain it. Wise individuals, understanding the generation and control of the Five Elements, harmonize their qi, avoiding excess and deficiency, so that yin and yang naturally correct themselves. Acting according to the seasons and solar terms, applying the technique, tacitly aligning with heavenly secrets, and blending with profound principles, how could one fail to achieve longevity and become an immortal?